Marietta Truck Accident Lawyers

Millions Recovered for Tractor-Trailer Accident Victims

Commercial trucks are the largest and most dangerous vehicles on our roads, which is why they’re subject to many safety regulations meant to keep the public safe. Unfortunately, some truckers and trucking companies fail to uphold their obligations to comply with the law – often with devastating consequences. 

If you or someone you love were harmed in a trucking crash, our Marietta truck accident lawyers at The Kalka Law Group want to help. We’re a respected trial practice that fights for victims and families across Georgia, and we’ve recovered millions for clients in crashes involving tractor-trailers, panel trucks, buses, and other commercial vehicles. 

Why Clients Trust The Kalka Law Group

• A proven trial practice backed by 30+ years of experience in personal injury law.
• Attorneys recognized in Georgia Super Lawyers and The Best Lawyers in America.
• Millions of dollars recovered for commercial vehicle accident victims. 
• Contingency fees – no cost to hire and no fee unless we win.

Call (678) 270-2377 or contact us online for a FREE consultation with our Marietta truck accident lawyers near you.

On This Page:

• Understanding the Different Types of Trucking Accidents
• Identifying the Causes Behind Truck Accidents
• The Grave Consequences of Truck Accidents
• Damages: Recovering Compensation After a Truck Accident
• Determining Truck Accident Liability
• Who is Responsible for My Damages?
• Georgia Truck Accident Data
• Get a Free Case Review 

Trucking accidents can result in devastating consequences, and understanding the various types of accidents that can occur is crucial. At The Kalka Law Group, we specialize in handling truck accident cases in Marietta. Our experienced team of truck accident lawyers is dedicated to providing effective legal representation to victims of trucking accidents. Let's explore the different types of trucking accidents that you may encounter:

• Rear-End Collisions: These occur when a truck strikes the rear of another vehicle. Due to the size and weight of trucks, rear-end collisions can cause significant damage and severe injuries.
• Jackknife Accidents: A jackknife accident happens when a truck's trailer swings out at an angle, resembling the shape of a folding pocket knife. These accidents often occur when the truck driver brakes suddenly, causing the trailer to skid out of control.
• Rollover Accidents: Rollover accidents involve a truck tipping over onto its side or roof. These accidents can occur due to various factors, such as excessive speed, improper cargo loading, or sharp turns taken at high speeds.
• Underride Accidents: In an underride accident, a smaller vehicle becomes trapped underneath a truck's trailer, often due to sudden stops or poor visibility. These accidents can result in catastrophic injuries or fatalities.
• Wide Turn Accidents: Trucks have a larger turning radius compared to passenger vehicles. When making a right turn, for example, a truck may swing wide to the left before completing the maneuver. This can lead to collisions with vehicles traveling in the adjacent lane.

Understanding these different types of trucking accidents can help you recognize the specific circumstances of your case and provide valuable information to your truck accident attorney.

Truck accidents can occur due to a variety of factors, and identifying the cause is essential for establishing liability and seeking compensation. Here are some of the most common causes of trucking accidents:

• Driver Fatigue: Long hours on the road can lead to driver fatigue, impairing judgment, slowing reaction times, and increasing the risk of accidents. Federal regulations govern the number of hours a truck driver can be on duty, but violations still occur.
• Distracted Driving: Distractions like cellphone use, eating, or reaching for objects can divert a truck driver's attention from the road, leading to accidents. Texting while driving is particularly dangerous due to the prolonged period of visual and cognitive distraction it creates.
• Speeding: Trucks require longer distances to come to a complete stop due to their size and weight. Excessive speeding reduces a truck driver's ability to react to sudden changes on the road, increasing the likelihood of accidents.
• Improper Maintenance: Neglected maintenance can result in brake failures, tire blowouts, or other mechanical issues that contribute to truck accidents. Trucking companies and drivers have a responsibility to ensure that vehicles are properly maintained and safe for the road.
• Improper Loading: Poorly secured cargo or uneven weight distribution can cause a truck to become unstable, leading to accidents. Overloaded trucks also have reduced braking ability and compromised maneuverability.

Understanding these causes can help build a strong case when seeking compensation for your injuries. At The Kalka Law Group, our truck accident attorneys are well-versed in investigating truck accidents and gathering evidence to support your claim. We are committed to holding negligent parties accountable for their actions and obtaining the justice you deserve.

Truck accidents pose significant dangers not only to those directly involved but also to other motorists and pedestrians. The aftermath of a truck accident can be catastrophic, resulting in life-altering injuries, substantial property damage, and even fatalities. At The Kalka Law Group, we understand the gravity of these situations and are here to provide unwavering support to truck accident victims in Marietta.

Here are some of the dangers associated with truck accidents:

• Severe Injuries: The sheer size and weight of commercial trucks can cause catastrophic injuries to occupants of smaller vehicles involved in a collision. Victims may suffer from spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, internal organ damage, or limb amputations, requiring extensive medical treatment and long-term rehabilitation.
• Emotional Trauma: Being involved in a truck accident can lead to significant emotional distress, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Coping with the psychological impact of a truck accident is just as crucial as addressing physical injuries.
• Property Damage: Truck accidents often result in extensive damage to vehicles, property, and belongings. The costs of repairing or replacing vehicles and other personal belongings can quickly accumulate, adding further financial strain to an already challenging situation.
• Loss of Life: Tragically, truck accidents can lead to the loss of innocent lives. Fatalities in truck accidents leave grieving families behind, dealing with immeasurable loss and the emotional and financial burden that follows.

When faced with the aftermath of a trucking accident, it is vital to seek legal representation that understands the intricacies of these cases. Our compassionate team of truck accident lawyers will guide you through the legal process, providing the support and advocacy you need during this difficult time.

Damages: Recovering Compensation After a Truck Accident

Proving liability brings personal injury plaintiffs closer to their goal of recovering compensation, but it alone does not mean that they will be fairly or automatically made whole. That’s because trucking companies and insurance carriers view truck accident suits as big threats to their bottom line and go to great lengths to pay victims as little as possible.

Fortunately, victims who work with experienced and resourceful attorneys can level the playing field with powerful defendants and position themselves to recover all damages to which they’re entitled. Examples of recoverable damages include:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Past and future lost income
• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional suffering
• Loss of consortium/companionship (awarded to a spouse)
• Other economic and non-economic losses arising from the accident 

At The Kalka Law Group, we work to position our clients for the maximum recovery possible by tapping into our decades of experience and our resources. 

Depending on the case, this may entail working with medical specialists, vocational experts, economists, and other expert witnesses who help us calculate the scope of our clients’ losses and the impact their accidents have had on their lives. This is especially important in cases where victims require long-term or life-long support due to disabilities, traumatic brain injuries, paralysis, and other catastrophic injuries. 

Determining Truck Accident Liability

Personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits are filed by victims (plaintiffs) looking to hold at-fault parties financially responsible (liable) for causing preventable harm and losses. To hold a defendant liable for damages, plaintiffs must prove:

1. Duty. Plaintiffs must prove a defendant owed them (or the victim) a duty of care, such as the duty to safely operate a vehicle or take reasonable measures to maintain trucks.
2. Breach of Duty. Plaintiffs must show the defendant breached their duty of care. In most cases, a breach occurs because of negligence. However, it may also happen when a company makes a defective product or when someone causes harm intentionally. 
3. Causation. Plaintiffs prove causation when they show that the defendant’s negligence more likely than not caused injury.
4. Damages. The plaintiff must prove they suffered actual damages because of the accident.

Who is Responsible for My Damages?

Because every truck accident claim is unique, yours should be evaluated by an experienced Marietta truck accident attorney who can help you identify an underlying cause and the individuals or entities that can be named as the defendant(s). Depending on the circumstances, this may be a:

• Negligent truck driver. Truck drivers are obligated to safely operate their vehicles and comply with the law. When they fail to uphold these duties because of negligence, truckers (and their employers) can be held liable. 
• Trucking company. Trucking operators are responsible for damages caused by their employees, which is why they’re usually named as defendants in crashes caused by negligent truck drivers. They can also be held liable when accidents result from the company’s own failures, such as when a company negligent hires or retains an unfit driver or violates trucking regulations. 
• Product manufacturer. Some truck crashes are caused by dangerous or defective products such as faulty tires, brakes, and other vehicle components. In these cases, plaintiffs may pursue claims against manufacturers, distributors, and/or retailers based on products liability. 
• Third parties. Sometimes, parties other than the obvious may be to blame (in whole or in part) for causing truck accidents. Examples include third parties that improperly loaded cargo, premises owners that failed to address property hazards, negligent vehicle maintenance/repair crews, or establishments that served an intoxicated driver. 

There are many nuances to evaluating liability and the most appropriate course of action in a trucking case, which is why victims are strongly encouraged to speak with legal counsel. At The Kalka Law Group, we help clients understand their rights and how the personal injury claim process works. We also offer free consultations and can help evaluate the next steps for your potential case as soon as you reach out.

Georgia Truck Accident Data 

Long-haul tractor-trailers, delivery trucks, cargo vans, and other commercial vehicles classified at large trucks have long been a common sight in Cobb County. In recent years, however, these massive machines have been involved in a growing number of fatal and serious injury accidents. According to the Georgia Governor’s Offices of Highway Safety’s 2020 Traffic Safety Facts: 

• Traffic fatalities involving large trucks increased by 15% from 2019 to 2020 (from 204 to 234) and by 34% over the past decade (from 174 in 2011 to 234 in 2020).
• From 2019 to 2020, the number of truck crashes resulting in serious injuries increased by 4%.

In addition to highlighting the rise in traffic deaths, the statistics provide additional insight about trucking crashes in Georgia: For example:

• 85% of all truck crashes involved other vehicles. 
• Among all the fatalities and serious injuries involving large trucks, 77% were occupants of other vehicles, 16% were truck drivers, 5% were non-motorists, and 2% were truck passengers.
• The most common contributing factors in truck crashes were following too close, improper lane change, and failure to yield. 
• Nearly half (40%) of all truck accidents occurred on interstates. 

FREE Case Review from a Marietta Trucking Accident Lawyer

The Kalka Law Group is dedicated exclusively to fighting for the injured and has amassed decades of experience litigating high-stakes claims involving all types of car accidents. We take pride in the work we do and are passionate about helping victims and families in the fight for justice.

If you have questions about a potential truck accident lawsuit in Marietta, Cobb County, or any of the surrounding areas of Georgia, we want to help. Request a FREE consultation by contacting us online or by calling (678) 270-2377 to speak with a truck accident attorney in your area.